Table of Contents
Whether used for home lighting or commercial lighting, LED bulbs are soaring in popularity. As they become increasingly common, there are a lot of myths cropping up around them. In this article, we’ll explore some of these myths and separate truth from fiction, helping you stay better informed about your purchases.
Truth: LED Lights Are More Expensive to Buy Than Halogen Lights
It is true that LED lights are more expensive than halogen bulbs, but only when you consider up-front costs. Though they’ve become more affordable over the years, they still tend to cost as much as four times the price of a CFL light out of the box.
When you set your sights on the future, however, LED lights save you money. In the long run, you’ll notice that LEDs are more affordable to run than halogen bulbs. LED exterior and interior lights alike provide many benefits, least of which is its cost-saving capability.
This is because a certain fact is left out of the cost conversation, and that is that LED lights are far more efficient than their traditional counterparts. They use up to 80 percent less energy since they turn the energy directly to light instead of first making it heat.
Since they are more efficient, they don’t wear down as soon, and they last longer. LEDs are rated to run a minimum of 20,000 hours, compared to the 1,000 hours or so of a traditional halogen bulb. This makes them especially good for hotel lighting, in a place where lights are on 24 hours a day.
Myth: LED Lights Last Forever
Although LED bulbs can last years and years without a replacement, it is not true that they are eternal. Both exterior and interior LED lighting will eventually burn out. Even with this fact, you can still expect them to last for decades.
Truth: LED Lights Are Better For The Environment
When you use LED exterior lights or interior lights, it is true that you are going easier on the environment. Since LED lights are energy efficient, they are able to reduce your carbon footprint overall. Beyond that, these lights benefit the environment in a number of other ways, such as:
- emitting lower levels of greenhouse gases by generating 80 percent less than traditional bulbs
- reducing the amount of light pollution that the lights create
- being healthier for the life of plans
- possessing no harmful chemicals like you’ll find in fluorescent lights, such as mercury
- lasting for longer and therefore adding less waste to landfills
- being recyclable, allowing parts of the bulb to be reused again
- needing fewer bulbs to generate brightness, lessening the amount of energy used overall on your property
Myth: LEDs Contain Hazardous Substances
From ceiling lights to soffit light fixtures to your interior wall lights, you won’t have to worry about exposure to a single toxic material in your LED lights. This myth that states otherwise comes from the existence of fluorescent lights, which are indeed toxic.
This type of light has mercury in it and cannot be thrown away anywhere but special facilities meant to take them. LED bulbs, on the other hand, can simply be tossed out with the rest.
Myth: LEDs Need Time to Warm Up
There once was a time when traditional bulbs took forever to turn on, needing to warm up before displaying lights. LED bulbs are not the same. They are capable of turning on instantaneously, providing full brightness as soon as the switch is flipped.
This is due to the semiconductor that is present in LED lights that is not present in traditional bulbs. It has negatively charged electrons and positively charged holes that move the electric current in an instant to release those light photons.
Myth: LEDs Get Very Hot
LED bulbs actually output barely any heat. This is especially true when you compare them to their traditional counterparts. Halogen bulbs output the majority of their energy as heat, whereas LED bulbs transfer nearly all of its energy directly to light.
So while LED bulbs do generate a very small amount of light, they never generate enough to be unsafe to touch. LED bulbs stay cool to the touch and don’t need time to cool off before you touch them once they are turned off.
Myth: LED Lights Are Harmful to The Eyes
This myth comes from the presence of LED light color temperatures, as well as the fact that LED bulbs have blue light. Blue light is an illumination wavelength that is powerful enough to have a hand in regulating circadian rhythms.
Naturally, being exposed to a lot of blue light, especially at night, can cause eye fatigue or worse. Still, the amount of blue light you will find in an LED bulb is equal to the light a phone or computer screen outputs as well. This means you are likely already exposing yourself to the same amount of blue light you would with LED bulbs.
Truth: LED Lights Are Resistant to Vibration
LED lights are durable, and are somewhat resistant to damage from vibrations. Traditional bulbs, on the other hand, come with filaments that are fragile and able to be easily damaged. LED bulbs make use of a durable semiconductor to avoid this sort of fragility. This makes them better suited for things like garden lighting and lights in similarly demanding environments, like warehouses.
Of course, there is a limit to the amount of vibration that LED lights can endure. When they are in extreme environments like on the side of the road or on railways, you may notice degradation of the light sooner. Even so, they will still last longer than halogen or fluorescent bulbs in the same environment.
Myth: LEDs Do Not Last as Long in Cold Temperatures
One of the most commonly circulated myths about LED lights is that they are susceptible to damage in colder weather. This is simply not true. Outdoor wall lights and other sorts of outdoor LED lighting are thought to actually work better in cold climates.
You may be surprised to learn the truth: in colder locations, LEDs are likely to output even more light. This means that in the winter, you may actually be extending the life of the light instead of deteriorating it.
Myth: LED Lights Cannot be Dimmed
It is certainly possible to dim LED lights. The myth comes from the fact that not every single LED bulb is dimmable. Instead, you have to seek out lights that are specifically indicated to be capable of this function.
You will also need to connect the bulbs to a dimmer switch in order to make sure they work the way you require. Oftentimes, this will also mean having a transformer installed for the light, so it can adjust the voltage levels that run to the light. Doing so will allow you to enjoy brighter lighting without flickering or causing short circuiting.
Myth: LED Lights Cannot be Recycled
This myth comes from the previously debunked misconception that LED bulbs have harmful chemicals in them. The truth is that LED lights do have recyclable parts in them, unlike traditional bulbs that are completely useless once the light has burned out. The lack of hazardous, toxic chemicals in the light makes it possible to recycle LED lights in a safe way.
Conclusion
There is a lot of mystique surrounding LED lighting, leaving some people unsure on whether buying them is the right move. In this article, we have examined some of the most common statements surrounding LED bulbs to help you separate fact from fiction.
Five Creative Ideas for LED Lights
The LDC724 8 Watt 800 Lumen Recessed Anti Glare LED Downlight is a unique light that gives the illusion of a soft glow with no visible source of illumination. This light features bulbs that are nestled deep inside the light fixture and shine a pool of light below. Its design makes it glare-proof, so it won’t hurt you even if you look at it. The square shape and recessed nature make it a lovely choice for contemporary homes.
For areas that you want to draw attention to or products you want to catch the eye on display, these LSP705 5 Watt Adjustable Surface Mounted LED Downlight is ideal. The light sits against the ceiling and features a head that partially detaches from the base. It can be swiveled around to shine light in a certain area of your choosing. The light is subtle and comes in neutral hues of either black or white, making incorporation into any space seamless.
With its boxy shape and cage-style exterior, the LWA705 7 Watt Square Black Outdoor Wall Light is as stylish as it is practical. This light nestles its LED bulb just behind a diffuser that further softens the already soft 3000k warm white light, making it gentle on the eyes. The black finish fits in well with any colour exterior.
Light the way in your exterior space with the LWA703 12 Watt Square LED Outdoor Wall Light. The light attaches to the wall and shines illumination down and at an angle through its square-shaped head. Available in black or white, you can easily incorporate either option into your outdoor living space or commercial area.
Light up pathways and stairs using the ODL703 3 Watt Rectangular Black Recessed Outdoor Wall Light. This outdoor light shines illumination straight down onto the ground with a soft glow that isn’t glaring. It not only makes paths safer to navigate at night but also creates a modern, warm and inviting glow on the ground that enhances the appearance of an outside space.
LED lights are leading the charge for modern lighting solutions and for good reason. Above, we have touched on some of the truths and myths surrounding this type of light. With this knowledge, you can make your own informed decision about whether or not to make the switch from traditional bulbs to power-saving LEDs.
